Flux
Black Forest Labs' frontier text-to-image models (FLUX.2 max/pro/flex/klein + Kontext) — high-fidelity, open-weight image generation available via a browser playground and a pay-per-image API.
Overview
Flux is Black Forest Labs' family of text-to-image models, ranging from the fast and cheap klein tier to the high-fidelity max tier. You get access to the same models whether you're clicking around the browser playground or hitting the API — no separate pricing tiers or feature gates between the two. Credits cost $0.01 each and are consumed per image, so you pay exactly for what you generate. The FLUX.2 lineup lets you pick your quality-speed-cost tradeoff explicitly: max for best output, klein for volume or prototyping, and flex and pro sitting in between. FLUX Kontext adds prompt-based image editing, so you can iterate on an existing image conversationally rather than regenerating from scratch each time. FLUX models are open-weight, which is why you'll find them powering image generation inside a large number of other AI tools and platforms. If you've used AI image generation anywhere in the past year, there's a reasonable chance FLUX was running underneath it. Going direct to BFL gives you the same models without a markup.
- Choose your tradeoff: max, pro, flex, and klein tiers let you trade output quality for speed and cost per image.
- Edit images conversationally with FLUX Kontext — iterate on an existing image via prompts instead of regenerating from zero.
- Use the same models in-browser or via API at identical per-credit pricing.
- Pay only for what you generate: $0.01 per credit, no subscription required.
- Access the same open-weight models that underpin image generation across dozens of third-party AI tools.
What stands out
- FLUX is the leading open-weight image model family — you're getting the source, not a reseller.
- Flat per-image pricing with no gap between playground and API makes cost estimation straightforward.
- Multiple model tiers give you real control over the quality-speed-cost tradeoff.
- Kontext's iterative editing reduces the need to reprompt from scratch on every revision.
Where it falls short
- No free tier beyond a limited playground trial — sustained use requires buying credits.
- Per-image pricing adds up quickly at volume; no bulk discount beyond the $10/1,000 credit pack.
- No native fine-tuning or LoRA support through the hosted API — you'd need to self-host for that.
Who it's for
- Designers who need high-fidelity image generation with predictable per-image costs rather than a subscription seat.
- Developers building image generation into products who want API access at the same price as the playground.
- AI builders who want direct access to the open-weight models that power much of the ecosystem.
- Researchers or power users who want to benchmark or compare FLUX model tiers without self-hosting.
Pricing
What we hold on record for Flux.
- Pricing model
- Freemium
- Plan details
- Free playground trial / pay-per-image (1 credit = $0.01) / 1,000 credits $10; same price API & playground
Advertised prices often assume annual billing — The Annual-Billing Illusion , our study of 150 tools.
Our take
Image generation, straight from the source.
— Toolhunter editors
Frequently asked questions
Is Flux free?
There's a free tier. Paid upgrades are available.
How much does Flux cost?
Free playground trial / pay-per-image (1 credit = $0.01) / 1,000 credits $10; same price API & playground.
What is Flux used for?
Image generation, straight from the source. It's listed under Image Generator in our directory.
What are the best Flux alternatives?
The closest matches in our directory are CreateForge AI, imagetranslator, Freepik and Fal — see "More tools like this" below for the full set.
Keep comparing
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